After Brahma had relinquished his error in speech, he returned to his celestial abode, once again pure. For this reason, it is said that one should bathe at that sacred confluence to attain purity. There, merely beholding the Lord of Speech brings liberation; what further need is there, then, for gifts, sacrifices, fasting, or other rites? Anyone who performs rites at that holy meeting of rivers is freed from the cycle of rebirth. On both banks, there are one hundred and nineteen sacred places, each capable of destroying the sins accumulated over countless lifetimes. This place is renowned as the holy site of Vishnu. Listen now to what transpired there. A sage named Maudgalya, son of Mudgala, was well known for his piety. His wife, Jabala, was celebrated for her virtuous children; her father, too, was the venerable sage Mudgala, famed throughout the world. Mudgala’s wife was known by the auspicious name Bhagirathi. Maudgalya, ever steadfast in his vows, would bathe each morning in the sacred Ganga. Such was always his practice, O best of sages: on the banks of the Ganga, with kusa grass, clay, and Sami flowers, he performed his devotions by day and night. Following the path taught by his guru, Maudgalya would, within the lotus of his mind, constantly invoke Lord Vishnu. Summoned by the sage’s devotion, the Lord of Lakshmi, Master of the universe, would hasten to appear, riding Garuda and bearing his conch, discus, and mace. Maudgalya would honor Vishnu with the utmost reverence, and the Lord, pleased, would recount wondrous stories to him. Then, as afternoon approached, Vishnu would gently say to Maudgalya, “Go, child, to your home; you are weary,” repeating these words again and again. Thus instructed by the Lord, the twice-born sage would depart, while Vishnu, accompanied by the gods, would return to his own abode. Maudgalya, too, would go home, bringing whatever he had earned, and present it to his wife. Devoted to the lotus feet of Mahavishnu, he would offer all he had, and his beloved wife, herself devoted to her husband, would receive it. Whatever vegetables, roots, or fruits her husband brought back with effort, Jabala would carefully prepare for their guests, children, and for Maudgalya himself. Only after serving everyone would she, disciplined in her vows, eat—always taking her meal at night after all others had been fed. The wondrous stories of Vishnu, which Maudgalya had heard from the Lord himself, he would joyfully narrate to his family. After much time had passed in this way, Jabala, amazed by these accounts, spoke privately to her husband: “If Vishnu, worshipped even by the gods, comes to you, then why is our hardship so great?” She questioned the Lord of the world through her husband, asking, “When Vishnu comes, and when merely remembering him destroys old age, birth, pain, and death, why does seeing him in person not do so? Please, ask the Lord about this.” Maudgalya agreed, and, ever devoted, humbly honored Hari and asked with joined palms: “When you are remembered, O Lord of the universe, sorrow, poverty, and misfortune are destroyed. But when I see you in person, why does adversity remain for me?” Vishnu replied, “Whatever one has done must be experienced by all beings, everywhere and always. No one acts on another’s behalf, whether for good or ill. As the seed is sown, so is the fruit produced—a mango will never grow from a neem seed, no matter where or when. Those who have not served the Gautami (Ganga), nor worshipped Hari or Shankara, nor given to Brahmins—how can they receive prosperity? You have not given anything to Brahmins, nor have I. Only what is given here endures in this world and the next. With clay, water, kusa grass, and mantras, one always performs acts of purification; thus, the pure-souled person, through the emaciation of the body, is purified. Without giving, people can find enjoyment nowhere. Through the practice of virtuous deeds, one becomes pure and detached, and thus proceeds on the path. Then, with unobstructed knowledge, one becomes liberated even while living. For all, liberation is easily gained here through my devotion and through acts of charity. Enjoyment comes from giving and similar acts, by removing the suffering of all beings. Or, through devotion, you may attain liberation, but not enjoyment. How can liberation arise through devotion? Liberation through enjoyment is extremely rare. If embodied beings attain liberation, what more is needed? Liberation through devotion is universally revered; I, who am the essence of the world, desire that above all. O Brahman, this very secret is given: remembering me—whether by a Brahmin or by any seeker—leads to imperishability. Whatever is given after contemplating me grants only its own fruit; such gifts, once given here, are not meant for enjoyment. Therefore, O great-minded one, offer me some food, or else give it to a foremost Brahmin who has taken refuge at the bank of the Gautami.” Maudgalya replied to Vishnu, “I have nothing to give; whatever pertains to my body and so forth, all of it has already been offered to you.” Then Vishnu, Lord of the world, spoke to Garuda: “Quickly bring Kaṇiśa here; he will offer this to me.” Thus, Kaṇiśa would obtain enjoyments suitable and pleasing to the mind. Hearing his master’s command, the king of birds swiftly obeyed. Maudgalya, steadfast in his vows, then placed grains in Vishnu’s hand. Meanwhile, Vishnu addressed Viśvakarman: “As long as seven persons remain in Maudgalya’s lineage, so long shall they exist; and so long shall they enjoy cows, gold, grains, garments, and ornaments—whatever pleasures are desired. Whatever ornament exists in the world for the delight of the mind, Maudgalya obtained all of it, by the grace of Vishnu and the sacred Ganga.